Investigation into the effect of acute exposure to chlorogenic acid in male wistar mice

Abstract

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a natural polyphenolic compound widely present in various fruits, vegetables, and plant-based foods. It has gained considerable attention due to its potential health benefits including antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, central nervous system stimulator, and anti-hypertensive amongst others. There is a dearth of information about acute exposure to chlorogenic acid which is also used as a food supplement. Ninety-six male Wistar mice were weight-matched into 8 groups (n=12). Group 1 was treated with distilled water, Group 2 received 1% ethanol, while Groups 3-8 were treated with 30, 60, 120, 240, 480 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight doses of CGA, respectively. Six animals were bled and sacrificed per group 24 hours post-treatment, and the liver and kidney were excised. Sections of the organs were fixed in 10% formalin for histopathological examination. Various antioxidant parameters were assayed in the liver and kidney samples using standard methods. A liver function test was also carried out on the liver samples. Haematological analysis was carried out as well as histopathology analysis of the liver and kidney samples. The remainder of the treated mice in each group were observed for mortality 24 hours post-treatment and for two weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with p-values less than 0.05 considered to be significant. The results of this study show that chlorogenic acid led to dose-dependent increased levels of hydrogen peroxide and albumin, increased activity of alkaline phosphatase with decreased activities and levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and bilirubin in the liver function while there were increased hydrogen peroxide levels in the kidney. The haematological parameters were not affected and the histopathological examination complemented the results with mild to moderate lesions in the liver and none in the kidney. Although, the lethal dose (LD 50-i.e., the dose at 50% mortality) was not established in this study. Therefore, chlorogenic acid should be ingested with caution.